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Outlines of Skeptical-Dogmatism

On Disbelieving Our Philosophical Views

Mark Walker

The ancient Pyrrhonian skeptics suspended judgment about all philosophical views. Their main opponents were the Dogmatists—those who believed their preferred philosophical views. In Outlines of Skeptical-Dogmatism: On Disbelieving Our Philosophical Views, Mark Walker argues, contra Pyrrhonians and Dogmatists, for a “darker” skepticism: that we should disbelieve our philosophical views. On the question of political morality, for example, we should disbelieve libertarianism, conservativism, socialism, liberalism, and any alternative ideologies. Since most humans have philosophical beliefs, such as about religious and political matters, humanity writ large should disbelieve their preferred philosophical views. Walker argues that Skeptical-Dogmatism permits a more realistic estimation of our epistemic powers. Dogmatists who believe their view is correct, while believing that two or more competing views are false, must—at least implicitly—take themselves to be “über epistemic superiors” to their disagreeing colleagues. Such a self-assessment is as implausible as it is hubristic. Skeptical-Dogmatism, in contrast, permits a more realistic and humbler epistemic self-conception. Walker also shows that there are no insuperable practical difficulties in living as a Skeptical-Dogmatist.

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Lexington Books
Pages: 330 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½
978-1-66691-888-5 • Hardback • December 2023 • $120.00 • (£92.00)
978-1-66691-889-2 • eBook • December 2023 • $45.00 • (£35.00)
Subjects: Philosophy / Epistemology, Philosophy / Political, Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy

Mark Walker is professor in the philosophy department at New Mexico State University.

Introduction

Part I: Skeptical-Dogmatism

Chapter 1: A Paradox About Our Epistemic Self-Conception: Are You an Über Epistemic Superior?

Chapter 2: Na-Na, Na-Na, Boo-Boo, the Accuracy of Your Philosophical Beliefs is Doo-Doo

Chapter 3: Noetic Skepticism

Chapter 4: Skeptical-Dogmatism and the External World

Chapter 5: Skeptical-Dogmatism and the Self-Undermining Objection

Part II: Against Skepticism and Dogmatism

Chapter 6: Against Skepticism

Chapter 7: Against Egalitarian Dogmatism

Chapter 8: Against Elitist Dogmatism

Chapter 9: The Ethics of Philosophical Belief

Part III: The Life of a Skeptical-Dogmatist

Chapter 10: The Lives of Skeptical-Dogmatists

Chapter 11: Philosophizing and Skeptical-Dogmatism

Chapter 12: Creative Gadflies

Recent times have seen an explosion of interest in the epistemic significance of disagreement. Drawing inspiration from Socrates and the ancient Pyrrhonists, Mark Walker’s new book contributes to the current epistemological debate on how one should react to disagreement by proposing a novel and provocative answer: in many multi-proposition philosophical disputes, each view should be deemed probably false. Since not only philosophers but also most laypersons hold philosophical views that have multiple competitors, Walker’s “skeptical-dogmatism” recommends a radical change in our attitude towards a centrally important set of our beliefs. Outlines of Skeptical Dogmatism is original, bold, learned, insightful, and readable.


— Diego E. Machuca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas


This book reveals an author who is not afraid to range broadly, both historically and thematically, and has thus gained a deep appreciation of the problems that persistent and pervasive disagreement poses to philosophical ambitions. Walker's work lays out some of those problems with patience and care, but also with verve and vigor. Readers will find many insights and arguments that reward the careful attention that they require.


— Ernest Sosa, Rutgers University


Outlines of Skeptical-Dogmatism

On Disbelieving Our Philosophical Views

Cover Image
Hardback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • The ancient Pyrrhonian skeptics suspended judgment about all philosophical views. Their main opponents were the Dogmatists—those who believed their preferred philosophical views. In Outlines of Skeptical-Dogmatism: On Disbelieving Our Philosophical Views, Mark Walker argues, contra Pyrrhonians and Dogmatists, for a “darker” skepticism: that we should disbelieve our philosophical views. On the question of political morality, for example, we should disbelieve libertarianism, conservativism, socialism, liberalism, and any alternative ideologies. Since most humans have philosophical beliefs, such as about religious and political matters, humanity writ large should disbelieve their preferred philosophical views. Walker argues that Skeptical-Dogmatism permits a more realistic estimation of our epistemic powers. Dogmatists who believe their view is correct, while believing that two or more competing views are false, must—at least implicitly—take themselves to be “über epistemic superiors” to their disagreeing colleagues. Such a self-assessment is as implausible as it is hubristic. Skeptical-Dogmatism, in contrast, permits a more realistic and humbler epistemic self-conception. Walker also shows that there are no insuperable practical difficulties in living as a Skeptical-Dogmatist.

Details
Details
  • Lexington Books
    Pages: 330 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½
    978-1-66691-888-5 • Hardback • December 2023 • $120.00 • (£92.00)
    978-1-66691-889-2 • eBook • December 2023 • $45.00 • (£35.00)
    Subjects: Philosophy / Epistemology, Philosophy / Political, Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy
Author
Author
  • Mark Walker is professor in the philosophy department at New Mexico State University.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Introduction

    Part I: Skeptical-Dogmatism

    Chapter 1: A Paradox About Our Epistemic Self-Conception: Are You an Über Epistemic Superior?

    Chapter 2: Na-Na, Na-Na, Boo-Boo, the Accuracy of Your Philosophical Beliefs is Doo-Doo

    Chapter 3: Noetic Skepticism

    Chapter 4: Skeptical-Dogmatism and the External World

    Chapter 5: Skeptical-Dogmatism and the Self-Undermining Objection

    Part II: Against Skepticism and Dogmatism

    Chapter 6: Against Skepticism

    Chapter 7: Against Egalitarian Dogmatism

    Chapter 8: Against Elitist Dogmatism

    Chapter 9: The Ethics of Philosophical Belief

    Part III: The Life of a Skeptical-Dogmatist

    Chapter 10: The Lives of Skeptical-Dogmatists

    Chapter 11: Philosophizing and Skeptical-Dogmatism

    Chapter 12: Creative Gadflies

Reviews
Reviews
  • Recent times have seen an explosion of interest in the epistemic significance of disagreement. Drawing inspiration from Socrates and the ancient Pyrrhonists, Mark Walker’s new book contributes to the current epistemological debate on how one should react to disagreement by proposing a novel and provocative answer: in many multi-proposition philosophical disputes, each view should be deemed probably false. Since not only philosophers but also most laypersons hold philosophical views that have multiple competitors, Walker’s “skeptical-dogmatism” recommends a radical change in our attitude towards a centrally important set of our beliefs. Outlines of Skeptical Dogmatism is original, bold, learned, insightful, and readable.


    — Diego E. Machuca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas


    This book reveals an author who is not afraid to range broadly, both historically and thematically, and has thus gained a deep appreciation of the problems that persistent and pervasive disagreement poses to philosophical ambitions. Walker's work lays out some of those problems with patience and care, but also with verve and vigor. Readers will find many insights and arguments that reward the careful attention that they require.


    — Ernest Sosa, Rutgers University


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